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economy

Financing

Low-income consumers were hit hard this summer, but gas prices are helping

 By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 30, 2022

The Bottom Line: Several restaurant chains have indicated challenges with lower-income consumers as inflation has increased. But lower gas prices are making things better.

Financing

As the economy slows, some restaurants will feel more pain than others

 By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 22, 2022

The Bottom Line: The U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates on Wednesday and signaled more to come. The impact of its actions won’t be spread evenly.

Financing

Signs of a weakening consumer continue to appear

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 16, 2022

The Bottom Line: FedEx's CEO told CNBC that his company’s numbers “don’t portend well” for the economy. More analysts are also predicting a slower holiday spending season.

Financing

Restaurant menu price inflation accelerated in August

By Jonathan Maze on Sep. 13, 2022

Prices at restaurants and schools continued rising last month while consumers’ total food costs hit yet another 40-year high.

Financing

Economic pain spreads to the middle class

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 26, 2022

The Bottom Line: Inflation is no longer just a problem for lower-income households. Middle-class earners have lost spending power and are trading down.

Financing

Menu price inflation remained elevated in July

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 10, 2022

Food away from home inflation was 7.6% last month and prices held steady at both full-service and limited-service restaurants. Overall, consumer prices were flat in the month.

Financing

Some restaurants see a cautious consumer. Others, not so much

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 08, 2022

Executives with some chains say their diners are shifting to discounts while others say their customers are spending more.

Financing

Restaurant hiring picked up in July

By Jonathan Maze on Aug. 05, 2022

The industry added 74,100 jobs, its best rate in months. But the number of employees remains short of pre-pandemic levels.

Financing

Restaurants start getting some relief on inflation

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 29, 2022

Food costs remain historically high. But it’s increasingly looking like they have peaked. And gas prices are coming down, too.

Financing

The economy falls into a technical recession

By Jonathan Maze on Jul. 28, 2022

The Bottom Line: GDP fell for the second straight quarter, which typically signifies a recession. There are some signs of consumer cutbacks in restaurants, but they’re not widespread.

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